Sidney’s boys bowling team had a big two-day stretch starting last Saturday. The Yellow Jackets won the Buckeye Classic at HP Lanes in Columbus on Saturday and then beat Fairborn at Bel-Mar Lanes in Sidney on Monday.
Sidney beat Fairborn 2,334-2,190 on Monday to improve to 7-0 overall and 4-0 in Greater Western Ohio Conference American Division play. Austin Simon led the team with a 451 series. Damion Phillis had a 383 series, Harrison Fisher had a 380 series and Lucas Finke added a 218 game.
“It may not have been our best statistical performance, but the boys bowled well,” Sidney coach Trent Knoop said. “I thought they did a nice job keeping their focus and giving great effort tonight. I was pleased with the performance.”
There were 25 teams at the Buckeye Classic on Saturday. The invitaitional’s format was three team games and eight baker games. The top four teams made best two out of three matchplay.
Sidney’s regular team games were a 863, 1059, and 933 for 2,855. The team rolled a 1,543 for the eight baker games for a grand total of 4,398.
The Yellow Jackets faced Boardman in the first round of matchplay and lost the first game 173-149, won the second game 189-178 and the last game 183-176.
Sidney then faced Urbana in the finals. The team won the first game 200-159, lost the second 177-150 and won the last game 190-173 to claim first place.
“This was an awesome day,” Knoop said. “We really struggled the first team game, but we stayed composed and fought. It shows that we are getting mentally stronger, and growing as a team. The team from earlier this season would have gotten upset and down on themselves, but this team is really getting stronger.
“They made the tough shots when they needed to, and executed things great. I really couldn’t have asked for anymore than what they gave me. Very proud of the kids. This has been a great week.”
Sophomore Harrison Fisher made the all-tournament team. He finished fourth overall with games of 183, 244, and a 214 for a 641 series.
“Harrison rolled the ball great all day,” Knoop said. “He had great energy and attitude today, and it really showed. This was his first ever all-tournament team.”
Jaxon Rickey finished 15th overall with a 579 series. Senior Damion Phillis finished 18th overall with a 562 series.
Sidney girls lose narrowly to Fairborn, finish 15th at Buckeye Classic
Fairborn beat Sidney’s girls 1,669-1,603 on Monday. The loss drops the team to 2-5 overall and 2-2 in GWOC American Division play. Camryn Smith led the team with a 303 series, while Jenna Beatty had a 287 series and Courtney Bridenbaugh had a 264 series.
“This was a nail-biter,” Knoop said. “A few more things go our way, and we pick up a few more splits, we walk away with a win. Fairborn has a good team, and this would of been a big win. I’m proud of how our girls fought all game, and they tried to make a run at it during baker, but fell just short.”
In the Buckeye Classic on Saturday, the Yellow Jackets had team games of 622, 709, and a 670 for 2,001. They had a 1,056 for their eight baker games for a grand total of 3,057. Sidney finished in 15th place.
“We were bowling on a ‘Challenge’ oil pattern on Saturday, which is tougher than a standard house shot,” Knoop said. “This was a learning experience for the girls. A lot of them haven’t seen oil patterns like this. Considering the circumstances I think they did a fairly good job. They continued to fight, and they did well at being a team on Saturday.
“We still have to do a better job with spare shooting. We were a handful of spares away from being inside the top 10. Progress is definitely showing, and that’s nice to see.
Senior Jenna Beatty made the all-tournament team. Beatty had games of 191, 201, and a 177 for a 569 series. She was tied for second place in the tournament.
“Jenna rolled the ball great all day, and her spare shooting was very good,” Knoop said. “This was a great showing from Jenna, and a very nice confidence booster.”
Camryn Smith finished 45th overall with a 462 series. Nickaylee Hastings added a 341 series to the team.
